Page 102 of The Unfortunate Debutante
Her mouth dropped in surprise. “Youown Martin Trading Company?”
“I thought it was fairly obvious, since my name is in the title of the company,” he quipped.
Her cheeks were starting to grow warm, and she pulled back her hands to cover them. “I just assumed you worked as a Bow Street Runner because you lacked an income.”
With a tender look in his eyes, Simeon said, “And that’s why I chose you. You’re different than all the other women in the ton.”
“I know that,” she murmured, diverting her eyes. “The ton will never accept me because of what I’ve done.”
Simeon placed his finger under her chin and lifted it up. “First of all, none of that was your fault. Peter set you up to fail.”
“He succeeded,” she replied.
He continued watching her, his expression assessing but not without compassion. “You mean to give up then?”
“What can I do?”
Leaning closer, he didn’t stop until his lips hovered over hers. “We fight.”
“We?” she asked, liking the sound of that immensely.
“Yes, we.”
Enjoying his nearness, and afraid of moving to break the spell, she replied, “What do you propose?”
“Do you trust me?” he asked, his eyes boring into hers.
“Always,” she breathed.
“Then leave it up to me.”
She nodded, unable to formulate a reply, even if she’d wanted to.
Simeon’s lips twitched just before he pressed them against hers. He kissed her gently, cautiously at first. He leaned slightly back, and she drew a deep, staggered breath in response. He gave her an achingly sweet smile before he kissed her again, this time deepening the kiss. His arms came up around her, and he kissed her with passionate ardor.
So lost was she in the kiss, that her mind barely registered Rachel’s voice. “Luke is on his way.”
Immediately, Simeon rose and stepped far away from the settee, just as Luke entered the room.
“Did he offer for you?” Luke asked in an annoyed tone.
Emma nodded. “He did.”
“Did you accept?” he grunted.
“I did.”
With a frustrated shake of his head, Luke replied, “Tarnation! Benedict won the bet.”
“What bet?” Emma asked, her eyes seeking out Rachel.
Rachel gave her husband an exasperated look. “The men in the family had a bet going when Simeon would propose.”
Growing serious, Luke asked, “Is Wentworth coercing you in any way to marry him?”
She laughed. “No, I love him.”
“I assumed as much,” Luke commented, placing his arm around Rachel’s waist. “This is what David would have wanted for you. To be happy, and to be in a position to select your own suitor.”
